Cleburne County program targets wildlife arson May 16-18

HEFLIN, Alabama -- Cleburne County residents will be the latest to receive fire prevention and protection information from the Alabama Forestry Commission this week, in response to a growing number of wildfires along the Alabama/Georgia state line.

Commission employees will be going door to door in the county this week, from May 16 through 18, handing out educational information on how to protect the home and identify people who set fires.

The campaign is similar to one that took place last week in Cherokee County. The Georgia Forestry Commission is conducting similar campaigns in Polk and Haralson counties, on the other side of the state line from Cleburne and Cherokee counties.

AFC Law Enforcement Chief Craig Hill said wildfires have historically been a problem in the two Alabama counties. Since last October, there have been seven fires in Cleburne County, burning 1,040 acres. From 2010 through 2012, there have been 95 fires burning 3,509 acres.

Hill said anyone witnessing what they believe to be woods arson or suspicious activity should call the wildland arson hotline at 1-800-222-2927 or their local sheriff's office. Wildland arson is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.